LAS VEGAS -
UNLV football will play seven home games in 2012 for the first time in three seasons as Director of Athletics Jim Livengood announced Wednesday that the Rebels have added a game vs. Northern Arizona to be played at Sam Boyd Stadium on Sept. 8.

Because UNLV will play at Hawai'i this fall, the school is permitted by NCAA rules to schedule a 13th game, just as it last did in 2010. That allows the Lumberjacks, who are a member of the Big Sky Conference of the FCS, to come to Las Vegas for the first time since 1992 when the Rebels won 40-7.

Overall, the two programs, which are located just 250 miles apart, have met seven times with the Rebels holding a 5-2 lead in the series. All but the most recent game took place during the 1970s, starting with a 20-7 NAU win in Flagstaff in 1971.

The addition of NAU to the schedule ensures that UNLV will open with three consecutive home games for only the fourth time in history (1973, 1989 and 2009).

"After having just five home games last season, we were looking to schedule a seventh home date for 2012 and the close proximity of the two universities makes this a natural fit," Livengood said. "NAU plays good football and this matchup will make a strong home schedule even better with another September game for our fans."

While the Mountain West is expected to release its conference schedule in March, the Rebels now have their five-game non-conference slate set.

The 45th season of UNLV football will kick off on Sept. 1 with the first appearance in Las Vegas by Big Ten Conference member Minnesota. After the Lumberjacks play here, Pac-12 Conference member Washington State returns last year's game by playing its first game at Sam Boyd Stadium since 1991 on Sept. 15. The Rebels also travel to Utah State on Sept. 29 and begin a two-game series vs. Louisiana Tech in Ruston on Oct. 6.

With dates to be determined, UNLV will play four Mountain West opponents at home this fall: Nevada, Reno, Air Force, Wyoming and New Mexico. The Rebels will play league away games vs. Boise State, Colorado State, Hawai'i and San Diego State.